Articles about American Pit Bull Terrier
What is Canine Distemper virus (CDV)
Agent of canine distemper
Distemper is a highly contagious viral infection caused by an enveloped, single stranded RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus, family Paramyxoviridae.
Considerations in a shelter
Although greatly reduced by widespread vaccination, canine distemper continues to be a frustrating problem in some shelters. All too frequently, shelter dogs with green nasal and ocular discharge are misdiagnosed as distemper cases, when, much of the time, these signs are caused by various other agents of canine kennel cough/upper respiratory disease complex. However, distemper does occur intermittently, especially in shelters located in communities with many unvaccinated dogs, and in the early stages can appear identical to run-of-the-mill "kennel cough". For this reason, complacency about symtpoms of respiratory illness can prove disastrous. Unfortunately, there is no simple and reliable method of diagnosing distemper in all infected dogs. Control of distemper requires a combination of effective vaccination, quarantine, isolation, disease recognition/diagnostic testing, and environmental decontamination. An understanding of the natural history of the disease will help establish an effective preventive plan.
Susceptible host species
Canine distemper virus infects dogs and other mammals, including ferrets and raccoons. Dogs of all ages are susceptible if not previously immunized, although infection is most common in puppies under 16 weeks of age. Domestic cats are not at risk of distemper, although some large felids such as lions appear to be. (Feline panleukopenia, which sometimes is referred to as feline distemper, is not related to canine distemper). There is no demonstrated risk to humans from canine distemper. (Although at one time there was speculation that distemper might be associated with multiple sclerosis, studies over the last fifteen years have failed to support this connection [Appel, 1999].)
Transmission and control
Canine distemper virus is shed in all body secretions of acutely infected animals. It can be spread by direct contact, by aerosol or respiratory droplet exposure. Although the virus is not extremely durable, it can survive in the environment for up to several hours, and during that time can be transmitted by fomites such as hands, feet, instruments or contaminated environmental surfaces. Virus can be shed by subclinically or mildly infected animal. Such animals probably play an important role in maintaining the virus in a chronically infected shelter population. Therefore, careful isolation of all dogs with upper respiratory signs -always a good idea- is especially important in a shelter where distemper is a concern.
Incubation period
Usually 1-2 weeks from time of exposure to development of initial clinical signs, but can be as long a 4-5 weeks or even more. Occasionally neurological signs develop months after exposure in dogs that never showed initial signs of infection. Therefore, quarantine of dogs possibly exposed to distemper should be a minimum of one month, and even then it is impossible to be sure of catching all cases. ALL exposed dogs must be included in a quarantine plan in order to control an outbreak....to continue reading this article please click on here...
